The C-131 Samaritan entered the US Air Force fleet in the early 1950s to fill a need for a new medium-sized personnel transport. Aircraft manufacturer Convair contracted with the US Air Force to produce the C-131, a variation of the Convair Model 340. Initially, the US Air Force received twenty-six C-131A military transports on 1 April 1954. The Samaritan was originally intended as a flying hospital and could hold 20 stretchers. The “D” version was fitted with 44 seats for passengers.
Throughout the 1950s and 1960s, Hill Air Force Base had C-131s flying in and out, performing various duties. Engine repair shops at Hill also routinely maintained the Pratt & Whitney R-2800 engine used in the Samaritan and other cargo planes.
Consolidated-Vultee Aircraft manufactured this airframe in San Diego, California, and delivered it to the US Air Force in 1955. It served with the 2750th Air Base Wing at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, Ohio; the Air National Guard Headquarters at Andrews Air Force Base in Washington, D.C.; and finally the 124th Tactical Reconnaissance Group at Gowen Field in Boise, Idaho. After its service, the airframe retired to Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona, for storage. In 1989, shortly after it arrived at Davis-Monthan, the US Air Force assigned it to the Hill Aerospace Museum. Interestingly, the Museum’s VC-131D is in the VIP configuration, meaning it has an executive interior that enabled high ranking officials to continue their duties while in flight.
Serial Number: 55-300
Manufacturer: Convair
Primary Function: Military Transport
Crew: Four
Engines: Two Pratt & Whitney R-2800-103W radial piston engines; 2,500 hp
Wingspan: 105 ft 4 in
Length: 79 ft 2 in
Height: 28 ft 1 in
Weight: 52,414 lbs.
Speed: Maximum: 314 mph; Cruising Speed: 227 mph
Range: 2,200 miles
Service Ceiling: 32,000 ft
Armament: None
Payload: Seats for 44 passengers or 20 stretchers
Years of Service: 1950 – 1990
